Kathleen McGee was one of Canada’s most renowned stand-up comedians of her time. Her performance at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival even earned a nomination for a 2019 Canadian Comedy Award. Though her life was cut short, it was incredibly rich and impactful. In this Edmontonski article, we’ll dive into the journey of McGee’s career.
A Comedian’s Journey
McGee got her start in Edmonton back in 2005. She began performing after a tough breakup, which quickly became the central theme of her stand-up. Her provocative and often raunchy stories from her own life quickly gained her recognition. Her first major win came in 2008 when she won the annual “Funniest Person with a Day Job” competition at The Comic Strip.
For several years, McGee travelled across Canada and the U.S. to advance her career, but by 2018, she returned to Edmonton. In 2017, she was a finalist in the “Best Comedian in Canada” competition.
From 2015 to 2016, Kathleen McGee even dipped her toes into journalism. She was a columnist for the Canadian magazine “Beat Route,” where she penned a series of articles titled “Been There, Done That: Questionable Advice from a Comedian.”
In 2016, Kathleen also headlined the show “Rape is Real.” All the comedians who participated in this show were survivors of sexual assault. Kathleen McGee was also a guest on the comedy series “The Debaters” twice.
During her career, Kathleen McGee managed to record an album. It was released in 2019 on the “Stand Up! Records” label. The album, “Deliciously Vulgar,” garnered popular reviews from critics and McGee’s fans. Reviewer Richard Lanoie called the album “smart and extremely funny,” believing McGee’s charm helped create such rich and enjoyable material.
In 2019, Kathleen McGee co-hosted the podcast “Dead Baby Bear” with another Canadian comedian. Earlier, Kathleen also hosted the podcast “Kathleen McGee is a Hot Mess,” which ran for 89 episodes and concluded in 2018.
In 2019, McGee was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award in the “Best Recorded Live Performance” category for her “Hot Mess” show, which was professionally recorded at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
A Glimpse into Her Life
Kathleen McGee had a couple of notable tattoos. One on her arm ironically commemorated February 21, 2017—the day McDonald’s Canada began serving all-day breakfast across the country. Another tattoo, on her thigh, was dedicated to actress Shelley Long.
Her Passing
In 2022, McGee was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. For a period after a successful round of chemotherapy, she was considered healthy, but just a year later, the cancer rapidly spread to her liver, peritoneum, and aorta. Kathleen McGee passed away on November 3, 2024, at the age of 43.
On October 28, when Kathleen was hospitalized, she posted about it, adding, “We never know how much time we have left, so we’ll keep sharing our love, laughter, and stories until we die.” Even in her final days, she chose to remain strong and positive.
In 2024, she was scheduled to perform at the Grindstone Festival, but due to her ongoing treatments, she had to withdraw. The festival organized a charity event to raise funds for McGee’s wishes, as well as to cover her bills and rent. Notably, Kathleen McGee was a co-founder of the Grindstone Comedy Festival.
Kathleen McGee left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who had the pleasure of hearing her perform. She wasn’t afraid to speak boldly and ironically about challenging topics, wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable, yet always hilarious. Her voice will forever remain a vital part of Canada’s stand-up history.